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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> California woman, 77, wins $37M lottery with Quick Picks California woman, 77, wins $37M lottery with Quick Picks California Lottery: California woman, 77, wins $37M lottery with Quick PicksRating:A 77-year-old retired Salinas hospital worker and regular lottery player will collect $21.2 million in cash after winning Saturday's $37 million SuperLotto drawing. Mitsuko Higashi presented her golden ticket at the Lottery's Hayward office and opted for the cash payment Monday. Higashi told Lottery officials she's been playing regularly for 25 years, always buying her tickets at Las Lomas Market & Gas on San Juan Grade Road in Salinas, where the winning ticket was purchased. She was too sick to go out Saturday, but sent her daughter to buy $3 worth of Quick Picks. She learned she'd won Monday morning when she checked the newspaper for the winning numbers. How did she feel when she realized all the numbers matched? "How do you think I felt? I thought I lost my mind," she said, describing the experience like being doused with a bucket of ice water. She said she knows what she wants to do with the winnings. "I'm going to take care of my family," she said. The owners of the Las Lomas Market will receive $185,000, or 0.5 percent of the jackpot, as a bonus for selling the winning ticket. Jesse Lopez, a cashier at the market, said Higashi was a regular customer. He believed his friend and co-worker Miguel Sanchez sold the winning ticket Saturday. Higashi always bought SuperLotto or Mega Millions tickets, Lopez said. "All the time, she would say, 'When I win, I'll come back and see you,'" he said. Asked what he would say to her if she visits the store again, he said, "Congratulations." Monterey County Herald We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 30 comments. Last comment 2 years ago by . United States Member #88461 March 16, 2010 393 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 9:06 am - IP Logged | |
That's awesome!  I like to mix it up myself with QP's & chosen numbers. 
$1,000,000 | | |
United Kingdom Member #71054 February 5, 2009 85 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 9:27 am - IP Logged | |
Many congratulations to Mitsuko Higashi and her family | | |
CA United States Member #57701 December 23, 2007 587 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 9:44 am - IP Logged | |
Congradulations to the winner. 25 years and a QP won. on a fluke. Wow ! For me thats a scary thought.
I wonder why she turned in her ticket in Hayward? thats at least a hundred miles from Salinas where she purchased her ticket. | | |
New Jersey United States Member #18150 June 28, 2005 17914 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 9:56 am - IP Logged | |
Lots of Luck and a Ticket to Win It!
Congrats to the Winner! A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its original dimensions! | | |
Ridge Runner - Oracle of the Appalachians Way back up in them hills, son United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 8431 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 1:36 pm - IP Logged | |
This looks like a perfect opportunity for an "I told you so" speech from tiggs. C'mon now tiggs, tell all them system players how the geriatric 77 yr old granny with the 3 quick picks whooped 'em all. . The water ain't never gonna run clear til you get the pigs out of the creek.
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United States Member #47874 November 4, 2006 3910 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 1:44 pm - IP Logged | |
This looks like a perfect opportunity for an "I told you so" speech from tiggs. C'mon now tiggs, tell all them system players how the geriatric 77 yr old granny with the 3 quick picks whooped 'em all. Thanks ridge..."tiggs told you so"!!!!!..hehehehe..Love it..QP's are where it's at baaaaaaaaaaaaaby!!!.. | | |
Idaho United States Member #56982 November 21, 2007 3940 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 2:26 pm - IP Logged | |
Congrats to Mrs. Higashi on her win! "No one remembers the person who almost climbed the mountain, only the person who eventually gets to the top."
ThatScaryChick | | |
Massachusetts United States Member #37842 April 14, 2006 368 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 3:44 pm - IP Logged | |
25 years? wow. And I have only been at it for 6 yrs and I'm already giving up. I needed this story to boost my morale. 19 more years here I come! Some hit but never know it, some will never hit and some will hit and wont even be ready | | |
United States Member #61714 May 16, 2008 124 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 4:46 pm - IP Logged | |
Congradulations to the winner. 25 years and a QP won. on a fluke. Wow ! For me thats a scary thought.
I wonder why she turned in her ticket in Hayward? thats at least a hundred miles from Salinas where she purchased her ticket. Hayward is the closest lottery office to Salinas. | | |
Chief Bottle Washer New Jersey United States Member #1 May 31, 2000 19728 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 6:05 pm - IP Logged | |
This looks like a perfect opportunity for an "I told you so" speech from tiggs. C'mon now tiggs, tell all them system players how the geriatric 77 yr old granny with the 3 quick picks whooped 'em all. Something about the way you make your points makes me laugh every time. Thanks for that! | | |
Milwaukee, WI United States Member #3189 December 27, 2003 505 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 7:16 pm - IP Logged | |
And take a 30 year annuity! She will be 107 when she collects her last check.... :-) MarkP | | |
United States Member #47874 November 4, 2006 3910 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 7:36 pm - IP Logged | |
And take a 30 year annuity! She will be 107 when she collects her last check.... :-) MarkP This could be a smart thing for her..Leave what she don't need in her will..Less money to worry about while she's still here..Age is a funny thing and winning the lottery can be stressful at any age.. | | |
Chicago United States Member #71182 February 8, 2009 887 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 8:34 pm - IP Logged | |
Thanks ridge..."tiggs told you so"!!!!!..hehehehe..Love it..QP's are where it's at baaaaaaaaaaaaaby!!!.. HAHAHA QP's are the way to go IF ya wanna take 25 years to win LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats to the winner!!!! Everytime I see Hayward I think of Mervyn's : ) | | |
Maryland United States Member #10659 January 14, 2005 4618 Posts Offline | | Posted: April 6, 2010, 8:54 pm - IP Logged | |
And take a 30 year annuity! She will be 107 when she collects her last check.... :-) MarkP The Herald out of Monteray County published that she opted to take the cash. Congratulations to Ms. Higashi and her family. Feeling, PRICELESS!!! | | |
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