 After Seath's parents separated she helped her mother raise her four siblings.To help support her family when she finished high school in 1896, she joined the workforce at the age of 17 and went straight to work at the "Montreal Star" where she was inspired by the head of the art department, who at the time was well-known cartoonist Arthur G. Racey.In 1901, Seath moved to the art staff on the "Montreal Star" where the dean of Canadian illustrators, Henri Julien, was another influence on the young artist who described him as supportive and helpful "with his splendid knowledge and talents.