You did a v. nice thing by going to the wake. And, you def. did the right thing!
Personally, I think your girlfriends were wrong saying not to go b/c it's been a long time, etc. It honestly means so much to the family of the deceased that you are thinking of them, remember the deceased and attended the wake. I remember when my FIL passed away, people I knew, who never met FIL, came for me! It meant a lot that they were there! And, these were people who I only dealt w/once a week when I taught CCD (religious ed) classes at our church! It's not as if we were best, close friends ... just knew each other from teaching and they came. It meant more to me than anyone can imagine!
I'm sure the family of the deceased was pleased that you remembered their loved one and came to pay your respects!