<p>I recently just finished my junior year, and I wanted to ask one of my favourite teachers for a letter of recommendation. Unfortunately, she was away the whole last week due to illness, and now she is retiring! I have no other way to reach her than besides e-mail. Is it terrible to ask her through an e-mail?</p>
<p>I think it wouldn't be too terrible, considering that she's retiring and there's no other way to reach her. In any other case, I'd say to try your best to ask in person.</p>