The likelihood is the last bit of fuel she had was right down there on
the bottom with all the non-fuel crap that has been sloshing around in
the tank for years. It picked up a slug of that and the filter caught it.
   So dump some fuel additive like Berrymans B12 in it, fill it half
full of gas. Drive a few miles, then change the fuel filter. Then fill
it up and dump another can of additive for good measure.
   The other possibility is fuel pump damage. Anytime you run a vehicle
out of fuel, then continue to crank it to no avail, you can damage the
fuel pump.  The fuel is  it's lubricant, so the bearings are running
dry.  Doesn't sound like you have a bad fuel pump though.
    As an aside, the fuel pump manufacturers say you should never run
your car below half tank.  This is especially true is you  live in a
hilly area.

When you run out all the last few drops of sludge and crap get into the
filters. Change them. It sure sounds like fuel starvation because of a
clogged filter.