Kamloops resident Rhonda Malesku receiving a cheque for $35 million from BC Lottery Corporation CEO Pat Davis.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

A Kamloops woman is $35 million richer after a life-changing lottery win.

It was an exciting time at the BC Lottery Corporation office in Kamloops today, July 27, when the province’s newest multi-millionaire, Rhonda Malesku, arrived with members of her family to receive a cheque for $35 million presented by the corporation’s CEO Pat Davis. 

Malesku smiled and shed some tears as she stood in front of a large group that showed up to celebrate her win.

She always planned on designing her own dream home, but the massive win now means she can do the same for her son and daughter, according to a BCLC news release.

“I’m just absolutely blown away,” Malesku said.

She bought her Lotto Max ticket while shopping for beach towels at Walmart, eventually checking her numbers online from home to see if she matched all seven in the July 25 draw. 

"I let out a huge scream and kept saying, ‘I won $35 million dollars!” I opened up the back door and started screaming it outside to my husband Sam and we both started shaking," Malesku said. "I was shouting so loud with excitement that the neighbours came out of their houses because they thought something was wrong.”

She called her daughter who was getting ready for work at the time.

“I called my daughter and started screaming it all over again to her. She immediately dropped everything and came over. We couldn’t even get ready this morning because we were vibrating with excitement and had to help each other put on our makeup," she said.

She plans to have dream homes for herself and her children built then gift some of the cash to family. She also plans to buy a travel trailer and a truck to visit loved ones on the east coast.

During the presentation Malesku, made jokes about getting a facelift and went around to the family behind her asking what kind of vehicles they want. 

“I was a single mom and couldn’t provide a lot for these kids,” Malesku said. “I always told them if I ever win you’ll be set for life, and they are now.”

Malesku split the $70 million jackpot with another winner in Alberta.

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