St. Catharines resident celebrates ‘finally winning’ with $100,000 lottery prize

A St. Catharines resident says after years of picking up small prizes, it’s time to celebrate now that she has cashed in on a ticket worth $100,000.

Mary Koszulinski-Amato, 54, says she plays the lottery regularly and was kind of getting fed up trying to hit the big one.

“I’ve only one small prizes up until now,” she said. “I can’t believe after all this time I am finally winning.”

Despite her anticipation, Koszulinski-Amato says she was in disbelief when she discovered her big win.

She matched the last six of seven Encore numbers in exact orer in the June 3, Lotto Max draw.

“I scanned my ticket using the OLG App and it felt like a dream – then excitement hit,” she said. “I told my husband, daughter and close friend about the win and they were in complete shock! It’s a rush of many different feelings and emotions,”

She plans to pay some bills, complete some home improvements and set some of her win aside for her daughter’s education. “I’ll save the rest for a rainy day,” she smiled.

The winning ticket was purchased at Avondale on Welland Ave. in St. Catharines.