Lee Ann Nahanee is $1 million richer after capturing the Gold Ball prize on a late-May Lotto 6/49 draw. (BCLC)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

extra cheese

Parksville woman becomes millionaire after lotto win, celebrating with pizza

Jun 5, 2025 | 4:32 PM

PARKSVILLE — The biggest pizza possible is first on the to-do list for central Vancouver Island’s newest millionaire.

Lee Ann Nahanee claimed her $1 million prize on Wednesday, June 4, winning the Gold Ball prize on the May 28 Lotto 6/49 draw.

Nahanee was filling up at the Shell gas station in Nanoose Bay shortly after the draw when she decided to check her ticket.

“[The worker at the gas station] turned to me and said, ‘you just won one million dollars!’ I don’t even remember how I drove home; I was bawling. I kept saying ‘just get home, just get home.’”

After processing the win, Nahanee called her close friends and celebrated with them in person for breakfast the following day.

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Her plans for the money are somewhat muted compared to other winners, with her only wish so far being to “play couch potato with the biggest pizza” she can buy.

More long-term, Nahanee plans to use the money to retire more comfortably and will likely purchase a new car in the near future.

Nahanee’s winning ticket was purchased from Temple Food Store in Parksville.

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