2) I have read abit about the course and what it involves but how does everybody think this course is to somebody who has never dived before?
She'll probably be OK, but if you can get her into a Discover Scuba class before you go, you can make sure she likes it, and those are fun and cheap. Also, go ahead and print out the medical form for each of you and get it filled out with a physician. A lot of people have one of the conditions listed on the form, but in most cases it's still OK, as long as you have talked it through with your doctor. For example, I've had vertigo, but it was not one of the types that's a problem when diving, and it was a long time ago, so my doctor gave me the green light.
3) Also one aspect I am worried about is the mask removal, from what I gather alot of people struggle with this exercise, I sometimes have problems with my eyes and soreness so I am slightly worried about having my eyes open in the salt water. Does anybody have any advice or opinions regarding this?
Yep, you can keep your eyes closed. Most people open their eyes for at least a moment, but it only takes a few blinks to get them back to normal after you clear the mask. You'll learn how to replace your mask and straps by feel.
I did have problems with the mask removal, because water kept getting into my nose, and then I'd inhale a little bit of water, and feel like I was choking! After barely pulling off that skill the first day, I took the advice you already saw, breathing through a snorkel with no mask on (eyes closed) in the tub, in a pool, or in my case, in the kitchen sink! Either it'll be easy, like it was for most people in my class, or you can work through it before you get to class. Some people just have a harder time shutting off their nose, while breathing in through their mouth, than others. It took a good half-hour spread over a few days for me to get the trick. I still don't like it, but I was able to get through the rest of the mask-off skills and the checkout dives. I'll have to make myself practice that at the end of every dive for a while, because people do kick each others' masks off by accident on a regular basis.
Actually, for most people the swim without a mask is no problem. I breezed through that, because you do work up to it. It's easier to keep your nose clear of water when you're looking down a bit, like when you're swimming.