Biggest lottery win in Saskatchewan: Woman managed to keep $60M a secret

REGINA – A woman who has won the largest lottery prize ever in Saskatchewan knew something was up the morning she went to check her ticket.

Mary Wernicke of Neville says she had "a feeling" the day she learned she had won the Lotto Max $60-million jackpot of Aug. 12.

Five days had passed since the draw and Wernicke says she woke up with a strong urge to check her numbers.

Once she discovered she had the lucky ticket, she was able to keep her big win a secret for more than a week in the small town of just 80 people.

Wernicke says it means a great deal to be able to share her good luck with all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — more than 30 in number.

She had just enough money with her for one ticket when she purchased the quick pick at a drugstore in the town of Swift Current, about 50 kilometres away.

"I only had a $5 bill in my purse," she said. "I thought to myself, 'If I'm meant to win, that's all it's going to take'," she said.

"They say if you have an itchy hand, it means money is coming your way. Well, both my hands were itchy."

She's determined to take her time and not rush into anything. The one thing she knows for sure is the positive impact the money will have on her loved ones.

"It means everything to be able to help my family. I’ve dreamed and prayed about that for a long time."