I am going through some of what you have your in post. An elderly lady in my church passes away.. she was a major quilter. After her house sitting for agood while I asked about her quilt room and all her supplies...... long story short... I was told to go get everything I wanted, which was the whole room..... After getting it all home and going through it, there was probally at least 50 quilts that have been cut out but no patterns, notes, nothing. So I bought gallon size zip lock bags and started putting things I thought were the pieces to each on into a bag. but I understand what you mean. The people that "inheret" these items,we have no idea what the person cuting them out was thinking. and it is very hard to put things together. I feel your pain on that point...
on the other.... I am so very sorry for the loss of your friend, she was still so very young!