Marie Louise Livaudais Prados

May 29, 1922 - February 14, 2021

Marie Louise Livaudais Prados, age 98, died peacefully on February 14, 2021, in Colorado Springs, CO. She was born in New Orleans on May 29, 1922 to Numa and Marie Louise Friedrichs Livaudais. In 1940 she married Clifford Joseph Prados. His telephone company marketing job took them to Frankfort & Louisville, KY; New Orleans; Shreveport; and Covington/Mandeville, where they remained after his retirement. The third of their five children Richard Francis (“Dickie”) was born with Down Syndrome in 1946. She, Cliff and four other determined Shreveport families established a non-profit, The ARC Caddo-Bossier, in1954 to provide services for special needs children. Their joint effort, along with those of other families nationwide, paved the way for state and national policy change to provide support, education and work opportunities for the developmentally disabled. A devout Catholic, her faith in God and quiet determination proved invaluable in helping make meaningful the lives of thousands of special needs children and adults. She was predeceased by husband Cliff (1992); son Dickie (2001); brothers Jacques, Numa, and Alfred Livaudais; and sister Marguerite Richardson. She is survived by her children: Susan Guetig (Don) of Colorado Springs, CO; Clifford “Pete” Prados (Jean) of Canyon Lake, TX; Sally McAfee (Dwayne) of Dripping Springs, TX; and Sandra Jones (Keith) of Baton Rouge. Also surviving her are 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She was an active member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Mandeville. Due to COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged and masks are required to attend services. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte St, Mandeville, LA 70448, on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:30. Interment will follow the service at the mausoleum at Mandeville Cemetery, Mandeville, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the charity of your choice. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the E.J. Fielding Funeral Home online Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.