Lotto winner bought ticket in Hinton

An Edmonton woman who won the $17 million top prize in the Millionaire Life lottery purchased her ticket at a Hinton gas station.

Faye Lepage, a cook in a drilling camp near Hinton, picked up her winning ticket at the Husky Travel Station at 511 Gregg Ave. in Hinton.

The result of the Feb. 28 draw was announced on March 26. According to reports, Lepage said she planned to share the money with her son Troy, who also lives in Edmonton. “We have always had an agreement that if we won anything, we would always share it 50/50,” she said.

Lepage said her reactions come in waves like a rollercoaster. “One minute, you’re calm, the next, the thought of winning $17 million overwhelms you,” she said.

Mother and son have both decided to ditch their jobs. Lepage plans to travel and her son would like to revive a business idea. “And I want to buy a [Ford] Edsel,” Lepage said. “It’s always been my favourite car.”

The winner of Millionaire Life can choose $1 million a year for 25 years or a lump sum of $17 million. Because she wanted to share it with her son, Lepage opted for the lump sum.

Though the luck may have come from the Husky location, Lepage said she thinks it’s something else. “My birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day, so maybe it’s the luck of the Irish,” she said.