First: Take your time. Do not act in haste.
Second: Dealers are in business to make money.
Third: Any Silver coin (I believe 1964 and prior) are at LEAST worth the silver content (Melt value).
Last: Do not act in haste. It sounds like she was doing a lot more than just hording coins for the sake of filling up a safe.
Second Last: TAKE YOUR TIME !!!!!

Wishing you enough,
Dick Staeffler (ex coin collector)