I've never tried the semiautomatics you mentioned, but I love my ruger lcr. It's double action so it's super easy to use (assuming your wife has such basic rules as pointing in safe directions and finger out of the trigger guard down, which I would say is a must with any weapon anyway). It weighs less than a pound. I have the .357. That starts to sting after awhile just because I have tendonitis in my hands, but it also takes 38+p which I could shoot all day no problem (and they do also make it in a 38 only version). I've considered looking into either the xdsc or lc9 next time, but I've yet to try either.
Definitely take her somewhere she can try it out. If she's not comfortable with it, she won't want to practice or carry.
Mine was a gift from an over protective father who didn't like his daughter and granddaughter all alone without protection. His major consideration was ease of use under pressure which is why he opted for the double action revolver. Drawback to that is that speed loaders are harder to carry than spare magazines. Other considerations would be size both for concealability and having hands large enough to reach everything comfortably. Weight as well. If I shoot a full size Beretta for example, my arms get tired very quickly and I have to use my second hand to reach anything besides the trigger (magazine release, safety, slide release). And caliber, but that goes both ways. You don't want something too big to handle, but I've seen people who could hit better with a 9 than they could with a 22.