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06/06/2013

SHE JUST MISSED THE BIG ONE! Woman who let $590.5M Powerball winner ahead of her in line says she's not angry

The would-be millionaire says she has no regrets about what happened at the Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla.: 'It's better to be patient than right. I knew we were teaching our daughter the right thing.'

Politeness is worth its weight in gold — no purchase necessary.


After Gloria C. Mackenzie, 84, hit the $590.5 million Powerball, she released a statement saying that another woman was kind enough to let her cut in line when she purchased her ticket.

But that woman, Mindy Crandell, 34, is not bitter about the cost of her courtesy, saying a lottery win simply was not meant to be.

"It could have been us, but things happen," Crandell told ABC News. "Sometimes it's better to be patient than right. I knew we were teaching our daughter the right thing."

Crandell had been in line at a Publix supermarket in Zephyrhills, Fla., to purchase Powerball tickets on May 18 when Mackenzie stepped in front of her.

"Mom, There's a lady in front of us," her 10-year-old daughter said. The cashier asked Crandell if she wanted her spot back but she declined, letting Mackenzie go before her.

Family and friends started to tease Crandell that the "sweet little old lady" would land the big prize - highly unlikely with odds of winning 1 in 175.2 million.

The joke persisted for about two weeks until Crandell's daughter pointed to the television Wednesday, saying, "Mom, look at the lady!" It was Mackenzie.

Mackenzie's attorney, William P. Brant, has denied interview requests and reiterated the family's desire for privacy.

She chose the lump sum payout of $370.8 million, before taxes, rather than 30 annual payments of $19 million, the lottery reports.

Even with such an exorbitant payout, Crandell has no regrets. As her daughter told her, "Sometimes it's better to be patient than rich."


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