Your friend might be able to get a back copy from the magazine publisher or even find one on ebay. That way she would have her own copy.
I agree that for me it is more about my conscience and doing what it right. I've known a couple of pattern designers and have seen how hard they work to develop print and distribute their patterns. It's not fair to them to make copies and give them away. The ones I knew weren't making an fortune and my $$$$ paid for their pattern really helped them out.