I don't think this is a common practice, at least not with the LA's I know or with the ones I know who send their quilts out to have them LAed..... I really never heard of such! I would call her and ask for it and tell her that you plan to use it. If she's thrown it away, she can replace it for you or compensate you for what it might have cost you or what it costs you to replace it. I certainly wouldn't just let it go since you did plan a use for it.
Just my personal opinion here.