"My mom has also seen two or three other JW's from the local congregation over the last 2 months. My mother has spoken to all of them, and they have all spoken back and said hello.
Soooooo, the ONLY person who refused to speak to her was the person who has been inactive for 15 years..."
Oooo - KAY, I know I'm taking the "Road Less Traveled" here, but that convinces me further that the "inactive" lady may actually have been 'actively' FADING for the last X# of years - "almost 15 years ago"...
SO - if she's "inactive" - actively separating herself from the religion/cult - and hasn't had much, if any contact with the JW congregation(s), then it is highly likely that she still perceived your mother as an "active" JW...
Which would make her even less likely to be friendly...
My totally different 'take' on this situation - but I get the feeling there's further information - or shades of meaning - that are involved...
Zid