Understand about the wife part not liking the lights on, ditto here.
Since you are in Carolina, I certainly wouldn't worry about the cannister. For them to quote you that price really seems extremely excessive. Were this me, at this point I would be shopping for the replacement part online and figuring if I could change it myself. Now that the snow and cold are finally departing the Southland, might be able to work outside.
Although I am familiar with the charcoal canister and function, I have never changed one on a Toyota product. Hopefully someone around here has and will chip in. Meanwhile, gather up 15 $100 bills and wave them in front of your wife and say "so how much does the light bother you?" My bet is not that much.
Denny