Why is an Electra Townie out of the picture? Too heavy? The more commuter oriented Electra bikes wouldn't be so heavy.

My mom was all excited about a Townie (for many of the same reasons as for your mom) and then I was lucky enough to buy and give her a folding bike. She loves it! It's heavier than a Townie, but since it folds she can store it anywhere and often carries it in the trunk of her car. Hers is a Downtube, and I've known several folks who love their Bike Friday folders (steel and made in the USA)

Electra: www.electrabike.com
Downtube: http://www.downtube.com/
BikeFriday (made in the USA): http://www.bikefriday.com/