In fact, Lowell's Geraldine Williams will never have to worry about money again, except how to spend it. Geraldine's life changed forever when one of five quick pick Mega Millions tickets she purchased on July 2 turned out to be worth $294 million.

This was the largest jackpot ever in the history of the Massachusetts Lottery and the second largest ever won by a single person nationwide.

Like most jackpot winners, Williams decided to take a lump sum payment instead of annual payments over a period of time.

Her lump sum payment of $168 million was reduced to $117.6 million after federal and state taxes. Had she chose annual payments she would have received $11.3 million yearly for 26 years.

Jay Patel, owner of Powers Wine, a Lowell package store where Williams bought the winning ticket, received $50,000 as the selling agent. Patel knew that Williams had won but kept the secret for a week until Williams and her two attorneys were prepared to make the announcement at Lottery Headquarters on July 9.

Colleagues and friends said Williams had worked hard all her life. She worked as a janitor at UMass Lowell where she cleaned halls and offices, and cleaned houses on the side after she came home.

In March 2002, at age 65, she decided to accept the five-year early retirement bonus being offered by the state at that time. However, she continued to clean houses to supplement her pension.

"Everyone who knows Gerry is ecstatic about this," said Patricia McCafferty, a friend who works in communications and marketing at UMass Lowell. "My aunt, Mary Rourke, worked with her at the school as a housekeeper. Mary is now housebound in her 80s and uses a walker. Gerry has been her savior, driving my aunt to medical appointments and places she could never reach on her own. Gerry is like that with everyone who needs a hand. She has a heart of gold."

The divorced mother of three and grandmother of eight said she planned to spend the money on her family, golf lessons and travel. She didn't say where she wanted to travel, but it's a good bet she won't be staying at Motel 6.

Gerry's former husband, Jim Williams, is a retired Lowell police officer who lives in Florida. Now remarried, he said he wished his ex-wife well and was happy for his children and grandchildren who will be likely "set for life."

Association President Ralph White said it was great to see a hard working, low-income member like Gerry win the Mega Millions. "If I had a wish, though, it would be for one hundred needy members to have the same winning number and share in the jackpot."