Liz,
my wife got certified 2 years ago at age 53; for as long as we have been married she has been reluctant / unwilling to get her face/hair/head wet. She finally decided to get certified because we were taking vacations with some friends - Lisa is/was my dive buddy, and my wife said she was tired of just sitting around.
We used an instructor out of Force E in Boca Raton named Alec (McGuinness, I think), and we could not have asked for anyone better - patient, understanding, etc.; I highly recommend him, and my wife insists that she get to spend a day or two with him every time we are there.
If the shop can't give you his #, PM me and I'll send it to you.
KevinL