You know - I found a quilt top that my mom "pieced" in her rough, zig zag stitch method. I am going to do nothing more that add borders, backing & bind it as is. It was handled & touched by her in her own way. I can't & shouldn't change that. It is a part of her; the history she left behind.
I think your Aunt's quilt top will be just fine finished as is. Like you say - every stitch was an effort for her, but I'm betting that it was an effort made with love & determination during a rough time in her life. It deserves to be finished, cherished and loved in memory of your Aunt.