Louise K. Binswanger, 74

Louise Klein Binswanger, 74, of Meadowbrook, a volunteer who committed time and talent to cultural and charitable institutions, died of cancer Saturday at home.

Since 1954, Mrs. Binswanger had been married to John K. Binswanger, cochairman of the Binswanger Co., a family-owned international real estate services firm based in Philadelphia. They both grew up in Elkins Park and met at a neighborhood party when she was 12 and he was 13.

Mrs. Binswanger was a graduate of Cheltenham High School and attended Connecticut College.

While raising their four children, she became an active volunteer for several organizations. She wasn't one just to attend benefit galas and champagne receptions, her son David said.

For 17 years, Mrs. Binswanger was a guide at the historic mansions in Fairmount Park. She was a longtime member of the Women's Committee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and in 1976 she helped found the committee-sponsored Philadelphia Craft Show. For 25 years, she was treasurer of the annual show, a major museum fund-raiser.

In 1984, Mrs. Binswanger was diagnosed with breast cancer. After successful treatment, she wanted to spread the word that people could recover from what was then a dread disease nobody spoke about, her son said. She wanted to publicize the importance of detection and treatment, he said, and was shown playing tennis in television and print commercials for the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

She battled cancer successfully again in the 1990s. After it returned three years ago, her son said, she faced her illness with fortitude and grace. She attended an Art Museum Women's Committee meeting two and a half weeks ago, he said.

In addition to her husband and son, Mrs. Binswanger is survived by son Richard; daughters Jill Garrett and Janet Israel; and 11 grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Congregation Keneseth Israel, 8339 Old York Rd., Elkins Park.

Donations may be made to the Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Ave., Room C-223, Philadelphia 19111 or the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Box 7646, Philadelphia 19101-7646.