It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear compatriot, Zulfiya Isayeva, affectionately known as Galochka by her childhood friends and generations of Dushanbe residents. She passed away in Moscow on July 15, 2026, at the age of 84.

Zulfiya Isayeva was born on March 20, 1942, in Dushanbe, where she spent her childhood in a warm, close-knit, multinational neighborhood. It was there that friends and neighbors lovingly gave her the nickname “Galochka,” a name that remained with her throughout her life among those closest to her.

She began her professional career in her hometown, working successfully at the renowned Intourist Hotel in Dushanbe. In 1976, she studied at the Faculty of Foreign Languages (English) of the Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute.

A new chapter in her life began when her husband, Izatullo Abduazizovich Khoshmukhamedov, was appointed to Moscow as Senior Consultant at the Permanent Mission of the Council of Ministers of the Tajik SSR to the Council of Ministers of the USSR. During his distinguished public service, he was awarded the highest state decoration of the Tajik SSR on three occasions.

For 59 years, Zulfiya was not only a devoted wife and loyal companion but also a loving mother who raised three wonderful children: her daughter Nigina and her sons Daler and Tajiddin.

In Moscow, Zulfiya Isayeva established herself as an innovative manager and respected leader. From 1977 to 1984, she managed the hotel of the Permanent Mission of Tajikistan in Moscow, providing care and hospitality to fellow countrymen visiting the capital. She later served as Deputy Director of the Guest House of the Permanent Mission of the Estonian SSR.

The Khoshmukhamedov and Isayev families made a remarkable contribution to Soviet economic history. They stood at the very origins of the legal cooperative movement in the USSR. On April 24, 1986, they opened the famous cooperative teahouse “Nigina” at the Exhibition of Economic Achievements of the USSR (VDNKh), naming it after their daughter.

During weekdays, Zulfiya and her husband fulfilled their government responsibilities while their children pursued their education. On weekends and holidays, however, the entire family worked together at “Nigina,” personally preparing authentic Tajik pilaf and introducing thousands of Muscovites and visitors to the warmth of Tajik hospitality.

The teahouse became famous not only for its cuisine but also for its exceptional service, something almost unheard of in the Soviet Union at that time. Meals were served in beautifully designed disposable pressed-paper plates, cups, and cutlery imported from Finland for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Guests admired them so much that many took the tableware home as souvenirs.

Demonstrating remarkable entrepreneurial vision, Zulfiya Isayeva later became one of the pioneers of the Soviet hospitality cooperative movement by establishing the large hotel cooperative “Mercury MW.” The enterprise operated 234 rented apartments throughout Moscow, each fully equipped with refrigerators and televisions—valuable amenities during a period when such household appliances were still in short supply.

The apartments were managed directly by their owners, creating a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring security, and providing guests with the comforts of home. As the cooperative movement expanded across the Soviet Union, Mercury MW became an important meeting place for entrepreneurs from many republics. Demand was extraordinary, with reservations often made years in advance. For many visitors, these apartments became not merely accommodation but a home and a base for developing new business ventures.

One of the family’s most remarkable achievements was their international business partnership. Using profits earned from the Nigina cooperative and their hotel enterprise, they commissioned hereditary master craftsmen from Khujand to create handcrafted elements of a traditional Tajik teahouse. The intricately carved wooden ceilings, columns, doors, and pilasters were carefully packed into 115 beautifully crafted crates and became the authorized capital of one of the earliest joint ventures between the USSR and the United States.

The venture, established between Mercury MW and American entrepreneur Michael Rea, was registered on March 30, 1990, under the name TADJIK ENTERPRISE, INC. (Department ID Number: DO2986875).

The artistic value of these handcrafted architectural elements received international recognition when they were acknowledged by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., as works of art.

Despite her remarkable achievements and success in Moscow, Zulfiya Isayeva always remained deeply devoted to her native Dushanbe. She embodied the finest qualities of Tajik womanhood—wisdom, dignity, extraordinary diligence, generosity, and unwavering kindness. Those who knew her remember not only her accomplishments but also her warmth, sincerity, and willingness to help others.

Her funeral took place in Moscow.

Her classmates from the Dushanbe Pedagogical Institute, former colleagues from the Intourist Hotel, childhood friends, neighbors, and fellow countrymen extend their deepest condolences to her beloved husband, Izatullo Abduazizovich Khoshmukhamedov, her daughter Nigina, her sons Daler and Tajiddin, and all members of their family.

The bright memory of Zulfiya Isayeva—our dear Galochka—will forever remain in our hearts.