HADLEY — A member of the information technology staff at Hampshire College, Rae Ann Wentworth-Cadieux was among those who received layoff notices on June 30, with uncertainty remaining about what positions will be available as the campus transitions to managed IT services.

Wentworth-Cadieux, of Hadley, came forward last Friday as one of the three $1 million winners in the July 19 Powerball drawing.

“This gift of this win could not have come at a better time for me and my husband,” Wentworth-Cadieux, 52, wrote in an email. “It will give us some needed breathing room until we consider retirement, which is expected to be a little more comfortable and a little early now.”

The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission announced Monday that Wentworth-Cadieux claimed her prize late Friday afternoon at its headquarters in Dorchester. She bought her winning ticket at the Pride Station & Store at 445 Russell St.

The Powerball had a $1.08 billion top prize, with the winning ticket sold in California.

Wentworth-Cadieux said she and husband, Keith Cadieux, intend to use their winnings, which after federal taxes and with 5% state taxes withheld is $710,000, to purchase a summer home.

“We both plan to continue working for a few more years, but our plan of getting a lake house near retirement has been accelerated,” she said. “We will be looking to purchase a year-round camp/cottage/cabin in New England within a year now instead of the original three to five years down the road.”

“We plan to spend long summer weekends, holidays, and a few vacation weeks with family and friends,” she added. “We look forward to spending more time with our five grandchildren, ages 1 to 9.”

The numbers were chosen for several reasons, based on numbers her husband has given her to play, and that he has picked since the 1990s, including winning a $2,500 Keno payout with them over 10 years ago.

The 10 comes from Cadieux, who works as a truck driver, being on the crew of the No. 10 pro stock car at the former Riverside Speedway in Agawam and the Stafford Motor Speedway in Connecticut. The 13 was the number of a modified car driven by his friend, Teddy Christopher, at Stafford Motor Speedway, and the 7 and 11 came from the 7 Eleven store around the corner from Stafford Motor Speedway. Finally, the 24 is the number of NASCAR Cup car driven by retired driver Jeff Gordon.

Another $1 million winner who also came forward Friday was Jan Busby of Norfolk. A third $1 million prize won in Massachusetts, sold by Global Montello/Gulf in Waltham, has not been claimed. Each of the retailers that sold winning tickets will get a $10,000 bonus.

The couple considers themselves casual Powerball and Mega Millions players, usually when the jackpots get over $100 million, and will either play the regular numbers or some occasional quick picks.

“My husband and I are super excited, grateful, and still in a bit of shock,” Wentworth-Cadieux said. “I have never won more than $500 on an occasional scratch ticket.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>