Freeport woman celebrates $1 million lottery win while mourning husband's death
Two weeks after Karen Coffman became a millionaire, her husband died.
“When I told him about the prize, he thought I was lying to him,” Coffman said of Robert, her husband of 31 years.
Robert Coffman died April 10 from complications of a brain tumor. His death made her million-dollar win a roller coaster of emotions since he won’t be able to share in the life-changing money.
But, she’s sure, the win made him happy.
“My late husband was worried about me being taken care of,” Coffman, 61, of Freeport said Thursday after meeting with lottery officials at the Freeport BP station where she bought the winning ticket.
She believes there was spiritual intervention that brought about her win just as her husband worried about how her life would be after his death.
“I do think he had something in the works because he was worried. I hope he’s looking down on this,” Coffman said as she fought back tears.
Coffman’s late husband was a welder and had experienced numerous health issues that led to him being disabled before his death at 62.
“He was young,” Coffman said. “He worked so hard, and it’s bittersweet.”
Coffman’s win came from a Pennsylvania Lottery $1 Million Game scratch-off ticket. She got the big, ceremonial check Thursday from lottery officials at the BP station, joined by family and friends.
“I don’t go out places. I work and go home. They know me here,” said Coffman, a 30-year Freeport resident and Burrell High School graduate. “I haven’t slept. I’ve been anxious. ”
A consistent lottery player, Coffman scratched her way to fortune when she bought a $20 ticket in early April. She plays the lottery at the same BP and favors scratch-off tickets. On the winning day, she stood inside the store in disbelief when she scanned the ticket and realized she had won.
An employee helped Coffman verify that she, indeed, had won. Coffman said she was shaking by the time she returned home to tell her husband.
The news of Coffman’s big win traveled swiftly throughout the borough, and Mayor Zack Gent extended congratulatory wishes to Coffman.
“I’m happy to see anyone get a little financial relief. And to know it’s someone from the borough makes it even better,” Gent said. “Inflation is tough and the rising costs keep rising. A million dollars is life-changing, and I hope she invests and spends it wisely so she can live a little more worry-free.”
Coffman plans to treat some of her family members to a deluxe Disney trip and eventually plans to relocate to Florida.
“I don’t want winter no more,” she said. “I hate the cold.”
She chose a lump sum payout of the prize.
Coffman retired last month from the senior care industry.
In 2011, Coffman won $65,000 playing a $3 Christmas-themed scratch-off at the same BP and bought a new car with the winnings.
“This is my favorite gas station,” Coffman joked.
“The day she called me, I wasn’t expecting that,” said 16-year-old grandson Jacob Tomanio of Buffalo Township. “She would always tell me about her little winnings.”
Coffman’s daughter, Ashley Uptegraph, cried recalling her late father and the impact that winning $1 million will have on the family.
“My dad was so worried about her. He was worried about money. I feel he literally was pulling strings making sure she’s OK,” Uptegraph said. “I think he just wanted to do something good before he died.”
“It’s pretty life-changing so far,” Coffman said. “I gotta take things slow and have my game plan.”
The BP station owner, Radhe Oil Corp., will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
On Coffman’s bucket list is a trip offshore.
“I like to fish, and I want to go on a deep-sea fishing trip,” Coffman said.
Coffman plans to resume her lottery playing when things settle down.
“She needed this,” Uptegraph said. “She deserves to rest a little bit.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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