Pennsylvania Single Mom claims million dollar lottery prize

Jessica Woods

Latrobe, PA – The Pennsylvania Lottery, in collaboration with SHOP ‘n SAVE, a lottery retailer, proudly presented a commemorative check to the fortunate winner of the recent Millionaire Maker Scratch-Off, worth a staggering $1 million.

The check ceremony took place at SHOP ‘n SAVE, located at 1910 Dailey Avenue in Latrobe, where the winning ticket was originally purchased.

As a bonus, the store also received a $5,000 reward for selling the winning ticket.

The recipient of this life-changing prize is Diane Babbin, a single mother residing in Westmoreland County. Babbin shared that on Friday, April 28, 2023, she sent her mother to SHOP ‘n SAVE to purchase a thermometer and a Scratch-Off since her son was unwell with a fever. Playing Scratch-Offs together was a cherished tradition between Babbin and her mother.


Babbin revealed, “My mom ended up scratching the ticket in the car and called me saying, ‘You have to come get me. I can’t drive home.’ I said, ‘What’s wrong?’ She’s a senior, and she was in shock!”

It was in that incredible moment that Babbin discovered she had won $1 million from the Pennsylvania Lottery’s Millionaire Maker Scratch-Off.

Reflecting on the experience, Babbin expressed, “My mom apologized that she scratched the ticket without me because we usually scratch them together. When I got there, I asked her about the thermometer, and she was in such shock that she forgot to buy it!”

Babbin, who works as a certified nursing assistant, resides with her parents to provide support while they reciprocate by helping to care for her children.

She emphasized the significance of her parents’ assistance in providing a good life for her kids, with her daughter preparing to attend college in the upcoming fall and her son actively involved in various activities such as tennis, bowling, and choir at his high school.

“We’ve discussed our plans for the prize extensively,” Babbin shared. “For now, it means fewer worries, but perhaps we’ll purchase a home. Currently, we’re renting.”

She added, “You can’t win if you don’t play!”

You appear to be using an ad blocker

Shore News Network is a free website that does not use paywalls or charge for access to original, breaking news content. In order to provide this free service, we rely on advertisements. Please support our journalism by disabling your ad blocker for this website.