Her dying husband worried she'd have money troubles. Then she won the lottery

Within the weeks earlier than his dying, Karen Coffman’s husband apprehensive she may need cash troubles after he was gone.

However two weeks earlier than he died in April of issues from a mind tumour, the Pennsylvania girl purchased a scratch-off state lottery ticket that netted her US$1 million (A$1.5 million).

“After I advised him in regards to the prize, he thought I used to be mendacity to him,” Coffman, 61, stated of Robert, her husband of 31 years. She believes there was a non secular intervention that caused her win.

Karen Coffman won the lottery two weeks before her husband died. — Karen Coffman gained the lottery two weeks earlier than her husband died. (AP)

“I do suppose he had one thing within the works, as a result of he was apprehensive. I hope he’s trying down on this,” an emotional Coffman stated Thursday at a ceremony at which lottery officers offered her with a ceremonial cheque. It was staged on the fuel station the place she purchased her successful ticket, which value her A$30.

“I don’t exit locations. I work and go residence. They know me right here (on the station),” Coffman stated.

The longtime resident of Freeport, close to Pittsburgh, described herself as a constant lottery participant who favours scratch-off tickets. When she realised she had gained a giant prize, she initially stood inside the shop in disbelief earlier than a station worker verified her win. She then went residence and was shaking by the point she advised her husband.

Coffman, who took a lump sum payout, labored within the senior care business earlier than retiring final month. She stated she plans to make use of a few of her winnings to deal with family members to a deluxe Disney journey and finally plans to maneuver to Florida, saying “I don’t need winter no extra. I hate the chilly.”