I'm a nurse and I know a stroke can only be diagnosed by a doc and even then with the use of a CT or MRI scan....
Her nurse neighbor may think she has or had signs and symptoms of a stroke, however this could have been what's called TIA's- transient ischemic attacks, they do not cause any permanent damage, but can be a sign that blockage is somewhere and she needs eval by an MD either way. Sorry you have this dilemma with your family....