Mass. woman wins $758 million Powerball drawing

With $758 million reasons to smile, the winner of the Powerball jackpot stepped forward Thursday.

Mavis Wanczyk, 53, was born in Southbridge and purchased the winning ticket in her current residence of Chicopee.

Beaming, Wanczyk said she realized she had won after work last night from her colleague.

"I said, 'it's never going to be me,'" she said.

Her colleague began reading off the winning numbers as she stared at her ticket - and she realized she had 07-26-16-23-06-04.

"He told me - 'you just won,'" she said.

He made her sign the ticket, and she was so overwhelmed she couldn't drive, so he drove her home.

Wancyzk said she chose the numbers, along with two quick picks. The winning numbers were based on family birthdays.

She said the reality is still hitting her, and she wants some time alone to figure out her plan.

"I just want to sit back and relax," she said.

For 32 years, Wanczyk worked at Mercy Medical Center in Springfield doing patient care.

"I called them and told them I won't be coming back," she said.

Wanczyk has a 31-year-old daughter and a 28-year-old son and said that she has had an average financial life.

"I make do with what I have," she said.

She said she decided to come forward to get it over with, so she could continue with her life.

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Mass Lottery said they are working with Manczyk to help protect her financial future and make decisions with the $758 million.

Lottery officials say she chose to take a lump sum payment of $480 million, or $336 million after taxes. About $120 million of the tax revenue will go to the federal government, and $20 million will go to Massachusetts.

Massachusetts lottery officials say they sold $13 million in total ticket sales for the drawing, with $8.4 million of that on Wednesday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report 

Cox Media Group