Mary Eisenband finds it fun to buy lottery tickets.
The 82-year-old Union, New Jersey, woman never found it more enjoyable than when she bought a scratch-off lottery ticket in North Carolina in November while en route to Georgia to visit family.
Eisenband turned out to be the lucky winner of that state's "$500 a Week for Life" game, North Carolina lottery officials announced Monday.
Eisenband took home a check for $244,968 after state and federal taxes were withheld because she chose the lump sum payout. Eisenband could have either collected a prize worth $26,000 a year for life or a one-time pre-tax amount of $354,000, lottery officials said.
"This is more money than I have ever seen in my entire life," Eisenband told lottery officials Monday when she claimed her winnings. "I play the lottery these days because it's fun for me. I play everywhere I go and I enjoy it. To win like this feels so wonderful. I still don't believe it."
Eisenband told lottery officials she immigrated to New Jersey from Poland in 1963 and opened a sandwich shop.
She plans to use her windfall to take a vacation. "I might go to Florida and stay in a fancy hotel, " she said. "And the rest I'll share with my family and put in the bank."
The ticket was purchased at Pilot Travel Center on state route 48 in Pleasant Hill, N.C, just off Interstate 95.
bless her heart. Sounds like she deserves every penny. I'm happy for her!
Agreed 100% !!!
Congrats to Mary! She seems like a nice lady. I'm happy to hear stories like this unlike the other one recently. It's like "Tale of Two Winners."
I was thinking the same thing. Nice to hear a positive story for a change
Congrats to this lady. May she have good health and many many more years to enjoy her winnings.
Congratulations Mary- these eighty somethings seem to have the inside track to winning.
First Gloria- and now Mary.
Enjoy your new found wealth sweetheart.
Aaahhhh, what a refreshing feeling to read this. A breathe of fresh air and glimmer of hope offered by her simple, everyday kinda story. Bless your heart Mary. Go take that vacation, get pampered, try some new fancy cuisines, relax, put your foot up and watch the sun set from your 'fancy' hotel's balcony!!! And when its time to leave, if you feel like staying a few more days...please do. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!
Good news is always fun to read.
Way to go, Mary!
What luck. Those Flying Js are huge and there's plenty of stations to buy tickets. I'd like to know how they figure out lump sums on life tickets.
Congratulations Mary! Enjoy your vacation and the "fancy hotel"!! Make sure you order lots of room service.
Congrats to Mary! It's all about a dollar and a dream. Well, it looks like Mary got hers.
At her age it was smart to take the lump sum.Congratulations on a nice fat win!
i wonder if they even asked or if they hoped she wouldn't take the lump sum. certainly it was the wrong ticket for her to buy, but it worked out. i'm sure she didn't realize that at her age a "lucky for life" type ticket may not have been the best choice. but it worked out. 500.00 a week x 52=26k before taxes a year x 10 yrs if she's lucky would have been 260k. hmm she made the right choice.
No, faber98. Usually, the rules read that you may choose a benefactor to continue those "for life" payments ... it's not ONLY for the winner's life!