An 80-year-old retired office manager from near Southend, Essex, has won £1 million in the UK National Lottery using numbers selected by her late husband. Rose Tresadern’s husband, Derek Tresadern, passed away last year at the age of 83, but the family continued to play his chosen numbers as a way of honoring his memory.

The winning ticket was drawn on April 18, featuring five regular numbers plus the bonus ball. Mrs. Tresadern described the victory as a feeling that Derek was still watching over the family. “We carried on playing the numbers because they reminded us of Derek. I know he’d be over the moon,” she said.

The couple’s decision to maintain the tradition of using Derek’s numbers ultimately led to the substantial lottery prize. The win comes as a source of comfort and joy for Mrs. Tresadern and her family amid their loss.