Sue Johanson, the most well-known sex educator in Canada, died on Thursday at the age of 93, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Johanson went suddenly to a long-term care facility south of Toronto, according to CBC, while she was surrounded by her family.

The trained nurse dedicated her career to promoting safe sex practices and de-stigmatizing sex, and her straightforward, non-judgmental manner helped her establish herself as an authoritative figure in Canada and other nations.

She first rose to fame in 1984 as the host of the Canadian call-in radio program Sunday Night Sex Show. The program later migrated to television and gave birth to the well-known American counterpart Talk Sex With Sue Johanson in 2002.

After several years of nursing practice, Johanson opened the Don Mills Birth Control Clinic in 1970, spending 16 of those years as the clinic coordinator. While touring Canadian schools, she spoke to thousands of teenagers and young people and released three books on sexuality.

Her appeal was fueled by her openness to discussing sex, pleasure, and sexuality as well as her wit and authority as a professional. Despite the angry phone calls and emails she received from critics, Johanson was unafraid to talk about everything, including contentious topics like sex toys and masturbation.

She was honored with the prestigious Order of Canada in 2000 for her work advancing sex education. The honor ranks as the second-highest civilian honor in the country.

In the announcement of her prize, she was praised for her candor and “listening without judgment.”

Johanson had a “positive impact on millions of people around the world,” according to a statement released on Thursday by Lisa Rideout, the Canadian filmmaker behind the 2022 movie Sex with Sue. The movie served as a tribute to the educator.

“To connect with Sue was to know, meet, listen to, or watch her,” stated Rideout. “Sue was a national treasure of Canada, and her legacy will last for many years to come, bringing about constructive change. You are cherished, Sue.

One of Johanson’s three children, Jane Johanson, complimented her mother and her influence in an interview with CBC News Network on Thursday.

My mother was amazing, said Johanson. Her voice would be instantly recognizable by everyone, everywhere, at any time. Never did she ignore anyone. Everyone received the same treatment from her. She never showed any prejudice or snobbishness in response to any inquiry that was put to her.

Everyone, in my opinion, thought of Sue as a second mother or grandma.