A Life-Changing Moment Comes Just in Time
Connie Christie of Beachville, Ontario, is now a multimillionaire after claiming a $5 million Lotto 6/49 prize — and she did so just days before the ticket was set to expire.
Christie purchased the winning ticket for the May 4, 2024 draw at a Petro-Canada station on Norwich Avenue in Woodstock. But for nearly a year, the ticket sat unchecked as life went on, until a news story in April 2025 changed everything.
A Forgotten Ticket, a Familiar Town, and a Gut Feeling
Christie, who works in logistics, hadn’t thought to check the Lotto ticket tucked away in her possession. That is, until she heard a news segment reporting that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) was searching for the holder of a winning, unclaimed ticket sold in Woodstock.
“When I heard the details, I turned to my mom and said, ‘I have a feeling that’s my ticket,’” Christie said, recalling the moment during her visit to the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto.
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The Moment She Discovered She Was a Multi-Millionaire
Once she got home, curiosity kicked in. Christie opened the OLG app and scanned her ticket. What appeared on screen stopped her in her tracks: a “Big Winner” message confirming she had matched the numbers for the $5 million jackpot.
“I saw the message and put my phone down to pause for a moment. Then I took another look. I managed to stay calm, thinking, ‘I did it!’ It was a great feeling,” she said.
Breaking the News to Her Family
Christie waited until the next day to share the news with her children. She pulled up the winning numbers on her laptop. Sensing something exciting, her kids asked, “Did you win the lottery?”
Her answer stunned them: “Yes, and it’s a life-changing prize — $5 million!”
As she showed them proof, the room fell silent. “I could see the wheels turning in all their heads,” Christie recalled. It was a moment of realization that their lives had just changed forever.
Retirement Plans and a Dream Road Trip
Now with the prize claimed, Christie and her husband are looking forward to early retirement.
“We can now spend our time doing what we love and enjoying our time together,” she said.
One of the first plans on their post-retirement bucket list? A scenic road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway, something she’s always wanted to share with her husband.
“My heart’s full of joy and I’m humbled by what this means for us,” Christie said, reflecting on the serendipitous chain of events that led her to check the ticket just in time.
A Reminder to Always Check Your Tickets
The OLG allows lottery winners exactly one year from the draw date to claim their prizes. Had Christie waited just a few more days, her life-changing windfall would have gone unclaimed.
Her story serves as a powerful reminder to always check your tickets, even if time has passed. You never know — a forgotten slip of paper could be worth millions.