B.C. woman plans to enjoy retirement, travel after $500K lottery win

Lottery winner Valerie Hoath is seen in this image handed out by the BCLC.

A recently retired Vernon resident will enjoy her golden years in style thanks to a cool half-million lottery win.

Valerie Hoath netted the $500,000 Extra prize from the July 19 Lotto 6/49 draw, according to the B.C. Lottery Corporation.

She was grocery shopping when she checked her ticket at the scanner, the lucky winner recounted in a Tuesday news release.

“I thought the machine was lying,” Hoath told the BCLC. “I think I was in shock!”

She first shared the news with her children, who also couldn’t believe it.

“My son said, ‘No way!’ They were in shock too and asked if I was kidding,” she said.

Hoath said she’s looking forward to retired life more with her prize, and is mulling a trip to Disneyland, Hawaii or Mexico.

“I’m in shock. It feels unreal,” she said of the windfall.

According to the BCLC, British Columbians have won $26 million from the Extra add-on and $46 million from Lotto 6/49 so far this year.

The odds of winning the top Extra prize of $500,000 are roughly one in 3.7 million.