My parents have an old maytag that worked fine until very recently... it will not spin, agitate, empty etc... the timer still goes from cycle to cycle, but makes a loud buzzing sound... I was thinking the timer might be shot and would replace it, but am concerned that maybe the motor is done... any thoughts ?

I have 2 initial things you need to check before we start condemning any thing. Unplug the washer and remove the 2 inner screws on the top of the control panel and tilt the panel towards you. I am assuming this washer has a single dial in the center of the control panel and your model is like an A107. Remove the 2 wires from the lid switch and bypass it. (if you have 2 switches on a bracket with a fuse this will not work) Start the washer (empty) in a different cycle than is normally used. Let me know what happens.