The default PVC reclaim policy is Delete https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/kubernetes-api/config-a.... The PV will be retained after deletion of the PVC by adding

  persistentVolumeReclaimPolicy: Retain

Alternatively set the reclaimPolicy on the StorageClass https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/storage/storage-classes/... for retaining all PVs of that SC after deletion of a PVC:

  reclaimPolicy: Retain

If Lily Cohen would have used either, recovery would have been possible. Of course then Lily would have to explicitly delete the PVs to prevent getting billed for the storage.