A Markham woman who describes herself as a mother and grandmother discovered this week that a routine lottery purchase has made her a millionaire.
Surreal moment outside local gas station
The winner, identified only as Thavamanidevy J., realised she had matched the top prize on an Ultra Scratch ticket while sitting on a bench outside a Petro-Canada on Ninth Line in Markham. She immediately called her husband to share the news and said he recognised the magnitude of the result.
"I didn’t understand all the zeros at first," Thavamanidevy J. said. "I called my husband right away and explained what I was seeing. He said, ‘You must have won big.’"
She later described the short walk home — normally about 20 minutes — as feeling much longer as emotions and the reality of the win sank in. "I felt a mix of excitement, shock, and disbelief," she said.
Plans for winnings
According to the information released with the prize announcement, the winner intends to use the proceeds to assist her children and grandchildren. She also has travel plans: family trips to Jamaica and Mexico were specifically mentioned.
- Winner: Thavamanidevy J. — Markham resident, mother of two, grandmother of two
- Ticket type: Ultra Scratch
- Purchase location: Petro-Canada on Ninth Line, Markham
- Winner's plans: help family and travel to Jamaica and Mexico
Local context and reaction
Scratch-ticket jackpots generate a burst of attention in neighbourhoods when a winning ticket is confirmed. For the convenience-store and gas-station operators where winning tickets are bought, such sales can also be a notable part of daily revenue, though retailers do not receive a share of a top prize beyond standard commissions for selling tickets.
For neighbours in Markham, the human side of the story is often what resonates: a long-time resident suddenly able to ease financial burdens for immediate family and take a holiday that may otherwise have been out of reach. The winner’s plans to support children and grandchildren reflect a common pattern among lottery winners who prioritise family needs.
Official details and next steps
Lottery winners of major prizes typically must follow a verification and claims process set by the provincial lottery corporation, including presentation of the original ticket and identification. Prize payments and any tax considerations are handled according to provincial rules; in Canada, lottery winnings are not taxed as income.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Winner | Thavamanidevy J. (Markham resident, mother and grandmother) |
| Ticket | Ultra Scratch |
| Purchase location | Petro-Canada, Ninth Line, Markham |
| Intended use | Help children and grandchildren; travel to Jamaica and Mexico |
Beyond the personal aftermath for the winner, such stories occasionally prompt local discussion about gambling, responsible play and the role of provincial lotteries in funding government programs. While the financial windfall is life-changing for an individual, public-policy questions about accessibility and education around gambling persist.
For now, neighbours and local residents in the Ninth Line area will likely watch for the winner’s celebrations and travel photos. The moment a small, ordinary purchase turned into major fortune unfolded on a Markham sidewalk and quickly became a reminder of how an everyday errand can unexpectedly alter a family’s future.
