Lottery winner to keep working

Thursday, January 26, 2006 posted 10:18 AM EST

It was a fortune cookie that made Deedra Clay her millions.

The grocery store clerk from Barrhead, Alta. won $6 million in a Super 7 draw held Jan. 20 by using numbers from a fortune cookie she enjoyed following a birthday meal.

She split the $12-million jackpot with as-yet-unknown winner in Ontario.

Clay’s plans for the money are hardly extravagant. “I’m going to take care of all my family’s bills,” she said. “‘Bills, bills, bills.”

And the 40-year-old single mother of two boys said she has no plans to quit her job at the Barrhead Freson IGA.

“I think she’s someone who just needs to keep busy,” said her boss, Aaron Coutts. “All the staff is excited for her. You never think it’s going to happen in a small town like Barrhead, let alone to someone you know.”

Clay said she won’t let the money go to her head.

“I’m still the same person,” she said. “And I’m going to stay the same person.”

“She’s one of the calmest winners I’ve ever seen,” admitted lotteries spokeswoman Heather Oldenburg, who presented Clay with her over-sized cheque.

And she’s well-prepared.

“I’m sure by tomorrow I’ll probably have relatives I never thought I had,” Clay said.



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