I'm not a fan of gold for the same reason as Reb, but short of total economic collapse, the DUmmie's mother is never going to be out the money invested, there is nothing wrong with her decision as a maximized-safety play.
If inflation becomes rampant (Which conditions don't yet indicate, though it's certainly a possibility in a year or two due to recovery on one hand or debt monetization on the other, not what I personally think is the main chance either way, but what do I know) she'll look like a genius and the DUmmie will be posting about her being an evil profiteer, I expect.