You gave her good advice and she has a valid concern.
I would definitely turn off the water at the water main in the garage (especially considering a history of leaks.)
I would also turn off the water heater. An electric model is easy, just turn off the circuit breaker, but since it's gas I would at least turn it down to a vacation mode or pilot only mode somehow, but for peace of mind I'd shut it off completely by turning off the gas valve usually located near the bottom of the heater.
Upon returning:
1. Turn the water main valve back on VERY SLOWLY.
2. Re-light the water heater pilot. Very easy but if she's unfamiliar, this would be a good time for her to have someone show her. Having a plumber or gas company employee come out to show her might be a good and minimal expense?
Don't forget to turn off the refrigerator icemaker (if she has one)
There will either be an electric switch inside the freezer near the icemaker unit, or more likely it's the type you just need to raise the arm at the icemaker to turn it off. The icemaker will otherwise try to make a new batch as the ice within evaporates and shrinks, but with the water to the house turned off it won't be able to and will cycle needlessly.
Hopefully she has a separate water supply valve outdoors for the irrigation system. Don't want to shut that off.
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