Waterhouse was the daughter of James Lees Kenworthy, an artist and schoolmaster from Ealing, in West London; and Elizabeth, a school-mistress.

[2] She first began showing her artwork at the Royal Academy in 1881, regularly participating in exhibits until abruptly stopping in 1890 for an unclear reason.

During that time, Waterhouse showed six pieces at the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, and a few other works at the Society of Botanical Artists, New Gallery, and in Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.

She sold many of her late husband's work, but still faced considerable financial difficulties due to the declining value of art during World War I.

[2] Waterhouse is buried, along with her husband, at Kensal Green Cemetery, and his portrait of her is now owned by Sheffield City Art Galleries.