i am not as up to date as i used to be on cell phone models
but there used to be what is called a "feature phone"
what you called semi-smart
they were typically clam shell phones
small screen and push button on the outside for answering a call
flipped open long wise (like a laptop) with a larger screen and full keyboard inside
you text, do email, take pictures, and a small amount of web browsing,
but they did NOT require a data plan
the LG voyager and LG vx10000, were phones on the verizon network
some are still be available from third parties like amazon
Don't know if this would work for your wife
its just an example, you might be able to find something NEW, that is similar
i had one before i got into smart phones and i loved it
http://www.amazon.com/Verizon-LG-VX10000-Contract-Titanium/dp/B005KN60FQ