Forest Hills resident Mary Starkins felt like a million bucks walking into church one recent Sunday morning.
That’s because Starkins, 73, scratched off a “Win $1,000 A Week For Life” instant Lottery ticket and found out that she hit the $1 million jackpot.
“When I realized I’d won, I felt like I was stuck to the wall,” Starkins said. “Then, I just put the ticket in my purse and went to church!”
Starkins purchased the winning ticket on Sunday, July 26 at Vasu Convenience on Queens Boulevard, but she didn’t claim her prize until recently because of some health-related issues.
“My luck finally turned around,” said Starkins, who retired from her job as a waitress at the Carnegie deli last year. “I had a gut feeling I was going to win on the ‘Win $1,000 A Week For Life.’”
As a “Win $1,000 A Week For Life” winner, Starkins will receive 19 annual payments of $52,000 each before taxes and one additional payment of $12,000 to realize her guaranteed minimum prize of $1,000,000.
Her net checks for the first 20 years will each total $34,336 and $7,924, respectively. After her 20th anniversary payment, she will continue to receive a net check totaling $34,336 a year, for life.
