Almost half of her $600K is in her RRSP and value of her pension plan. Most likely she got under $300K, which, as longshot suggested, may be her share of the matrimonial home. If she lived in a decent-sized home in "the Toronto suburb where she lives", a split in the net value of the home of half $600K is not unreasonable. They did have the income to be considering private school.

The cash she has on hand is sufficient for a down payment on a new home, but she is lacking in income to buy one.