There are certain smells associated with spirits. There are definitely pungent astral smells, smelling blood or a foul smell could be associated with a negative entity. Good smells like basil, sandalwood, vanilla could be a sign of a benevolent spirit but not always. Some scents may even be associated with our Gods, in the Vedic tradition Vishnu has a Sandalwood scent and Lakshmi a Basil fragrance. I believe this is due to their astral smell. I have smelt and tasted these on the astral.
You could perhaps be smelling her scent on the astral if you are open to that degree. Or if you are not very open astrally, it could be your imagination.