I don't at all see how some of you think this is a bad thing. Do you know how many people just toss things into the dump? Her family knew this hobby had meaning to her, and it just may have been her request to have them sell it for $1, so anyone of any financial means could carry it forward.
Your timing was perfect, maybe you were picked. Either way, you made more of it by giving to others and you can't beat that.