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First let me say I'm sorry for your loss.
I have no personal experience with Crape Myrtle. They don't grow this far north.
Given the circumstance you've mentioned - only able to visit once a year, etc - You've probably done the best you can. You will have to decide if you fall fertilizer application is helpful or detrimental. (Sorry, I couldn't open your link for the fertilizer) If you can shift your visit to spring, that would be a better time for applying fertilizer. I'd go with something slow release so maybe it feeds the plant over better part of the growing season.
I don't know that I would be to concerned about the ants. They tend to live more frequently in sandier soils, but rarely do any harm to the plants. If the plant has a pest, such as aphids that exude a sticky, sweet honeydew, the ants are likely drawn to that as a good food source. It would be the aphids, not the ants, that my weaken the plant.
The moat of mulch will help direct any rain you get and preserve the moisture. I would continue that in some form.
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