LAKEWOOD - Word of mouth convinced Judy Tremblay, 52, of Ashville to try her luck on the New York Lottery's Loteria scratch off game on her lunch break.
Tremblay had heard about other winners on the Loteria game, but she still was shocked when she became a winner.
After purchasing the ticket at the Arrow Mart on East Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, on June 28, Tremblay scratched the ticket in her car and "spazzed out a little bit" before returning to work to finish her shift, she said. Back at work, news of her win spread quickly around the building and caused so much outpouring of emotion from co-workers that Tremblay was allowed to leave early for the day. She went straight to the Lottery's Buffalo Customer Service Center to claim her prize.
Tremblay has been playing Lottery games for more than 30 years and only winning small prizes. She continued to play, she said, because, "I believed in the dream that I could win."
The $1,000,000 top prize on the Loteria game is paid as an annuity. Tremblay will receive her prize in 20 annual payments of $50,000. Her annual net check will total $33,090.
Tremblay plans to use her winnings to pay bills, make some home improvements and take a vacation.
"I can't remember the last time I went on vacation," Tremblay said.
The New York Lottery contributed $31,081,477.36 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Chautauqua County in 2011-12.