As an awkward workaround had you not been able to resurrect that bank account, she could have endorsed it back to the IRS as a “quarterly payment.” (If possible at an IRS field office.) Call, make certain the funds were applied to the primary SSN. The primary is whichever of you is listed first on your 1040.
Then, make absolutely certain you file your taxes as early as possible next year. Request direct deposit for your refund. Call and make certain this happens.
What you did is better, since you would not receive any interest.
Clever idea indeed.... that would probably work too, who knows.