Im sorry for both your and your daughters loss
At lest you were looking into doing what you could before her passing, sometimes its the most we can do. Hamsters usually go down hill very fast so sometimes its hard to find treatment before its to late and sometime even after getting treatment its to late
My Petsmart is 45 minutes away from me as well. The last rodent I bought there I also purchased a small plastic animal carrier, you should be able to find them around the hamster cage and accessory area. I asked the people to put the rodent in that with some sawdust in the bottom rather then making them sit in a cardboard box for a 45 minute ride all the way home. Then I just put a towel around it make it a bit darker for the animal.
You should try that its also handy to have a carrier incase you need to go to the vets. That being said maybe you should have a talk with your husband before you get another hamster to make sure he understands that if it gets sick its both your responsible to get it whatever care it needs so if the new hamster ever gets sick there wont be any arguments.