Mrs. Zinaida Orlova, age 82, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at her home in Warren, New Jersey.

Zinaida was born on January 2, 1944, in village Krasny Bereg, then part of the Soviet Union, to the late Andrey Dergachev and Olga Michaylenko. Her early life was marked by profound loss, as both of her parents passed away while she was still a young child. She and her brother were placed in an orphanage, where Zinaida’s resilience and determination quickly became evident. Through hard work and remarkable academic ability, she distinguished herself as a gifted student.

At the age of 16, because of her outstanding academic achievements, Zinaida was given the opportunity to continue her education in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she attened the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. There she pursued higher education in chemistry and French, earning advanced degrees including a master’s degree. Her passion for learning led her to a meaningful career in education.

Zinaida began her professional life in Saint Petersburg, where she participated in educational television programming focused on chemistry and later served as a chemistry teacher, inspiring many students through her knowledge and dedication. She spent more than half of her life living and working in Russia before immigrating to the United States in 1995.

After arriving in the United States, Zinaida first settled in Newark, New Jersey, and later lived in Springfield and Bloomfield, before making her home in Warren, New Jersey, where she resided for the past 18 years.

During her time in New Jersey, Zinaida pursued another of her passions as an art and antique dealer. She had a deep appreciation for the arts and continued expanding her knowledge through courses in fine arts both in Russia and in the United States.

Her love of art frequently brought her to some of the country’s most renowned museums, including the The Met Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Zinaida also had a great love for nature and photography. She enjoyed capturing the beauty of flowers and landscapes, first with an analog camera and later with digital photography. She loved traveling, returning to her homeland as well as exploring destinations throughout the United States and Canada.

Above all, Zinaida cherished her role as a mother and grandmother, and her family remained the center of her life.

She is survived by her former husband, Valeriy Orlov; her children, Anna Orlova and Alex Orlov; and her beloved grandson, Daniel.

She was predeceased by her brother, Victor Dergachev.

Zinaida’s life was one of resilience, intellect, and curiosity, and she will be remembered for her love of learning, appreciation of beauty, and devotion to her family.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 17, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Boulevard, Watchung, New Jersey. Family tributes and remembrances will begin at 11:30 AM at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Bound Brook Cemetery in Bound Brook, New Jersey.