Zinaida Orlova

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

Born on January 2, 1944, in the village of Krasny Bereg in the Soviet Union, Zinaida was the daughter of the late Andrey Dergachev and Olga Michaylenko. After losing both parents at a young age, she and her brother were raised in an orphanage, where her resilience and remarkable academic ability became evident. At 16, she earned the opportunity to continue her studies in Saint Petersburg, Russia, attending the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia. There she earned advanced degrees in chemistry and French, which shaped a lifelong passion for learning.

Zinaida began her career in Saint Petersburg, contributing to educational television programs in chemistry and later teaching the subject to generations of students. She lived and worked in Russia for more than half her life before immigrating to the United States in 1995. She first settled in Newark, New Jersey, and later lived in Springfield and Bloomfield before making her home in Warren for the past 18 years.

In the United States, Zinaida became an art and antique dealer, a pursuit that reflected her deep appreciation for the arts. She continued her studies in fine arts on both sides of the Atlantic and frequently visited renowned museums including The Met Cloisters, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She also found joy in nature and photography, capturing flowers and landscapes with both analog and digital cameras. An avid traveler, she returned often to her homeland and explored destinations across the United States and Canada.

Above all, Zinaida cherished her role as a mother and grandmother, with her family remaining 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. She will be remembered for her resilience, intellect, curiosity, love of learning, appreciation of beauty, and quiet devotion to her family.