Her family lived at 212 W. Idaho Street, where after her father's death she carried on his mission of making Boise a better place.
[7] Writing in 1947, American journalist John Gunther described Ailshie as "an extreme reactionary–something to the right of Louis XIV or Boies Penrose say–and a genuine patrician.
"[9] Ailshie's favorite projects were the Julia Davis Park restoration of a pioneer village and the construction of Bronco Stadium.
Ailshie belonged to no clubs in Boise, though she entertained numerous guests at her home from her travels around the globe.
She endowed the Margaret Cobb Ailshie Trust, which benefited many public institutions over the years.