Janene “Nene” Marian Coffie Watson, 89, died January 26, 2026, in Charles Town, West Virginia. She passed in her Bobcat doing one of the things she loved most—working on her farm just steps away from her beloved retired racehorses and furry companion, Bobbi. Born November 20, 1936, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, Iowa, she was the daughter of Jess McKinley Coffie and Marian Margaret Turley.

Janene grew up on what was known as the Coffie Farm, or “Coffie Grounds,” on the land directly south of the Sergeant Bluff High School. Her family were among some of the first residents of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. They were well known for breeding and training thoroughbred racehorses, including Navan, who had descendants that ran in the Kentucky Derby. Those early years on the farm shaped her lifelong love of horses, hard work, and wide-open spaces.

She graduated from Sergeant Bluff High School in 1954. Janene went on to attend both Iowa State College in Ames and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. On February 3, 1962, she married Richard Clinton Watson at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa. They were married for 55 years, until Richard’s death in 2017.

Over the years Janene held many “jobs,” most of them revolving around horses, travel, and adventure. She even worked as a travelling photographer along with her husband for the Pro Am bowling tournaments. However, her first love was always thoroughbred horses and all things horse racing. While Richard was frequently deployed with the U.S. Army, Janene and their son Bobby stayed at the Coffie Farm, where she worked in the family horse business. She and her sister Janis were best friends who loved to travel together with their children, whether the trip was across the country or just to Omaha. Janene and Janis were always up for an adventure, and their kids hold countless memories of motor bikes, snowmobiles, and sleds pulled behind the farm tractors.

In 1980, Janene and Richard moved with Bobby to Charles Town, West Virginia. Richard worked at the Pentagon until his retirement from the U.S. Army, after which they devoted themselves to breeding, training, and racing thoroughbred racehorses at Charles Town Races. Janene and Richard were deeply involved in the administration and legislation governing the track. They played a key role in bringing casino gaming to the track in cooperation with Penn National Gaming, helping Charles Town Racetrack become the “cash cow” that has supported the growth and continued live racing presence in Jefferson County.

Janene was preceded in death by her mother, Marian, and father, Jess; her husband, Richard; her son, Robert “Bob” Watson; and siblings Darwin Turley, John Adair, Robert Merrill, and Janis Ann. She leaves behind her grandchildren, Chrystal, Ethan, & Jessy, 10 great-grandchildren, many loving family members, friends, and countless horsemen and women who will remember her grit, generosity, and unshakable love for the animals and people who filled her life. 

A private family burial is planned for St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Salix, Iowa.