I have old copies of the JBAA on the BAA DVDs. A search shows Mary Ashley is mentioned in Vol 13-4: “A special mention was made of a gift by Miss Ashley of valuable astronomical books and diagrams together with two telescope stands”. She also bequeathed items to the BAA. See especially Vol 13-10, p376. Books were duplicates to the BAA library, and so were offered to members. Yes, with hindsight, the BAA should have kept it. Her name is also mentioned in later journals as a person who bequeathed certain items listed in the inventory stated in those journals.
British Astronomical Association
Supporting amateur astronomers since 1890