Responding to the situation
The situation you described is probably more common than not. My response would have been to send a empty workstation from the corporate office as her permanent replacement rather than a temporary.
I agree that backup systems are a must however leaving them at remote sites is risky. I have found equipment and supplies moved or missing one too many times from someone "cleaning" and not knowing what to keep. Even if it's locked up keys can go missing or end up in someone else's hands.