Louise Binswanger, social luminary

NOT MANY social and charitable events went off in Philadelphia in the '80s and '90s without the presence of Louise Binswanger.

There was that big party aboard the Moshulu hosted by her family in 1982, fund-raisers for the Museum of Art, the Fox Chase Cancer Center, the United Way, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and many others.

She was a tour guide for the historic homes of Fairmount Park, and volunteered as an assistant librarian and teacher's aide for Germantown Academy and Abington Friends School.

Her name and that of her husband, John K. Binswanger, prominent real-estate magnate, were frequently listed as guests at many a social gathering covered by the Inquirer's David Iams and Ruth Seltzer.

And when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984, she became a advocate for early detection and treatment of the disease.

Louise Klein Binswanger, one of the area's leading and most active citizens for many years, died Saturday. She was 74 and lived in Meadowbrook.

She married John Binswanger, co-chairman of the Binswanger Companies, a family-owned international real-estate-services firm based in Philadelphia, on June 20, 1954. He also is the former chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Louise was born to Harry and Jeanette Klein and grew up in Elkins Park. She was a teenager when she and John met. They were married after she completed Cheltenham High School and Connecticut College.

She was a founder and longtime treasurer of the Philadelphia Craft Show, helping it to grow to what many consider to be the nation's best.

She served as an at-large member of the board of associates of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, beginning in 1996, and was a member of the Women's Committee of the Art Museum.

One of her activities to raise awareness of breast cancer was her role in the Women's Golf Tournament Against Breast Cancer held at the Philmont Country Club in the late '90s.

She and her husband often hosted gatherings of people involved in charitable events at their home, Griffin Hill.

In 1993, they hosted a fundraising subscription party to support Collab, the Art Museum's Contemporary Design Group. Among the guests was Phillies pitcher Tug McGraw.

The dinner was catered by one of the Binswang-ers' two daughters, Janet Binswanger Israel, owner of the catering company Culinary Concepts.

At that event and others, Louise enjoyed showing her collection of Delft pottery from Holland.

That Moshulu party was the talk of the 1982 social season. Some 1,300 guests attended.

The occasion was the observance of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Binswanger real estate firm and the 300th anniversary of the founding of Philadelphia by William Penn.

"It was one of the best organized events we have attended," wrote the Inquirer's Ruth Seltzer.

Louise was a devoted traveler and liked to say she and her husband had been on every continent - except Antarctica.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, "Louise faced her illness with fortitude and grace," her family said.

"She became a pioneer in trying to publicize the importance of detection and treatment when she agreed to be the subject of the area's first television and print campaign designed to encourage dialog and provide hope for others similarly situated.

"At a time when breast cancer was generally thought of as a 'death sentence,' her willingness to go public was an exceptional act."

Besides her husband and daughter, she is survived by twin sons, David and Richard; another daughter, Jill Garrett, and 11 grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Ruth Klein Altman.

Services: 1 p.m. Thursday at Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Fox Chase Cancer Center or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. *